Report: Italy Set to Purchase $21.6 Billion in Armored Vehicles from Rheinmetall
German media reports that Italy will buy 350 Lynx IFVs and over 200 Panther KF-51 tanks in the largest deal in the German company's history
By Eyal Boguslavsky, Israel Defense, 07/07/2024
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| Photo: Rheinmetall website |
Italy will buy 200 Panther tanks and 350 Lynx from Germany for 20 billion euros
In the coming days, Italy will sign a $21.6 billion contract with German company Rheinmetall to purchase 350 Lynx infantry fighting vehicles and over 200 Panther KF-51 tanks. This will be the largest transaction in the German company's history. This, according to a report in the German newspaper Handelsblatt.
The deal was further solidified when Rheinmetall and Italian defense firm Leonardo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a 50:50 joint venture. This collaboration aims to develop and commercialize new Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and the Lynx platform for the Armored Infantry Combat System (AICS) within the Italian Army’s ground systems programs.
Rheinmetall states that the future joint venture, headquartered in Italy, will act as the Lead System Integrator, prime contractor, and system integrator for both the Italian MBT and AICS programs. Leonardo will be responsible for developing and producing mission systems, electronics suites, and weapons integration according to the Italian client's requirements.
This deal also provides an opportunity to introduce systems made by Israeli companies to the Italian Army. Recently, Rheinmetall presented the KF-51 tank equipped with the "Iron Fist" active defense system, manufactured by Elbit Systems, at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris.
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